Grocery home-delivery service
We worry about it, we plan it, we try to think of new dishes to prepare with the wares won by it — grocery shopping. Let’s face it, procuring sustenance in Germany is no small task. Relatively short opening hours and, for the carless, heavy bags to schlep render the experience joyless. But now there is relief. In January, Einkauf 24, a grocery home-delivery service whose headquarters are in Hamburg, set up its Munich cyber store on the World Wide Web. At www.einkauf24.de, everything found at your local market — produce, meats, dairy products, frozen entrees, beverages and more — can be ordered via mouse click. Telephone and fax orders are also welcome. A comparison of prices reveals that most items are set at retail standard, while some “luxury items,” such as pizza and beer, may cost DM .50–1.00 more. The company — which charges a mere DM 5 per delivery with DM 1 added for every beverage case if drinks add up to more than 50 percent of your bill — earns its profit by purchasing the wares at wholesale prices and selling at retail. A sharp eye for bargains may even win the Einkauf 24 customer savings over neighborhood supermarkets. A DM 40 minimum purchase is required. An order placed by 9:00 will be delivered between 9:00 and 13:00, an order placed by 13:00 will be dispatched between 14:00 and 17:00 and last call orders before 18:00 will be sent by 21:00. Upon arrival, the very friendly Einkauf24 staff member will check to make sure all items ordered are there and intact. Those who make use of the 21st century convenience on a Friday or Saturday will receive the cyber store’s latest catalog. Though some Pfennig pinchers may balk at such a luxury, some Münchner will certainly sleep in more often on Saturdays. <<< lv